 Review by
Richard SumrallDepending on your part of the country, bird
hunting can mean different things to different people. In the West it means
hunting chukars and ptarmigans; in the North, Northeast and East it's the
ruffed grouse. Bird hunting in Illinois and the Midwest represents some of
the most diverse and challenging hunting in North America. In the new book
"The Complete Book of Upland Bird Hunting," hunting enthusiast Tom Carpenter
has edited 18 chapters that contribute some of best writing available on
North American game birds.
The birds described in the book include pheasants, doves, grouses,
woodcocks, ptarmigans, sharptails, prairie chickens, huns, chukars, turkeys
and quails. Each chapter contains specific information on the quarry's
behavior, habitat, food sources, nesting and how to execute the best hunting
strategies.
Here's a look at three birds that are particular to Illinois and the
Midwest:
Woodcocks
One of the more unique game birds, woodcocks are distinguished by their
unusually long beaks and their extraordinary camouflage plumage. They are
found in the eastern half of North America and generally seek specific kinds
of woodland habitats, such as young, second-growth forests. The hens are
about 20 percent larger than the males; their beaks are also
characteristically longer than the males.
Most hunters use dogs to flush out woodcocks from their positions within
thickets and brush. Be prepared when you flush -- woodcocks can suddenly
accelerate from a vertical position and quickly disappear into the foliage.
It's best to leave the heavy shotguns at home -- woodcocks require
"finesse, not firepower, which translates into streamlined and maneuverable
guns." The 20-gauge shotgun and the No. 9, 10 or 12 shot size are a great
combination for hunting woodcocks.
The woodcock hunting season in Illinois ran from Oct. 20 to Dec. 3, with
hours from sunrise to sunset and a limit of three daily, six in possession.
Huns
The Hungarian partridge (gray partridge), or "huns" as they are commonly
called, are imported game birds introduced into North America around 1900.
Huns flourish in flat crop fields, grain fields and sagebrush knolls. The
ideal habitat should also include some creek bottom terrain and stands of
thicket or brush. The success of huns in North America has come from their
ability to quickly adapt to the numerous food sources available to them.
When establishing your hunting position, keep in mind that huns can be
fast eaters (especially in bad weather) and are always on the move. When
they are flushed from a cover, they tend to land in that same kind of cover;
in fact, clusters of droppings are a vital clue that huns will return to
familiar cover sites to reassemble and roost.
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The season for hunting huns will determine the best shotgun to
use. Late-season hunting calls for a 20-gauge with an improved
cylinder and full choke. This is to your advantage since huns "can
put a great distance between themselves and the second shot." The
late season means you'll be hunting mature huns; these larger
varieties require No. 7 1/2 or 6 shot.
The Hungarian partridge hunting season in Illinois extends from
Nov. 3, 2007, to Jan. 8, 2008 (north) and from Nov. 3, 2007, to Jan.
15, 2008 (south). The hours are sunrise to sunset, and the limits
are two daily, six in possession.
Bobwhite quail
Quails are a perennial favorite of hunters everywhere. Although
the valley, desert and mountain varieties are popular, none can
compare to the experience of hunting bobwhites. Beautiful in flight
and adorned with intricate plumage, bobwhites are adored by hunters
as "feathered 5 ounces of flying dynamite." Hunting the bobwhite
quail "brings the best of that timeless connection between a man and
his dog."
Although they are less abundant now, bobwhites still populate a
wide expanse of the eastern half of the North American continent.
During the hunting season they can be found living together in
coveys. They prefer habitat that blends agricultural, fallow and
bushy terrain. These environments also provide important grain
sources and cover for nesting and hiding.
It is the interaction of hunter, dog and prey that has created
the allure associated with hunting bobwhite quail, a mystique that
has generated some of the finest outdoor writing in American
literature. It's an ongoing debate about the best dog for hunting
quail, with proponents arguing between pointers and setters.
Double-barrel guns are usually the choice for traditionalists
(with 12-, 16- or 20-gauge). A reminder when choosing your gun --
many shots may occur at distances of 40 yards or more, so No. 7 1/2
or 6 shot may be the preferred choice.
Quail hunting is considered among the most gentlemanly and
genteel pursuits of bird hunting; as Robert Ruark once suggested, "I
never knew a man that hunted quail that didn't come out of it a
little politer by comparison."
The quail hunting season in Illinois extends from Nov. 3, 2007,
to Jan. 8, 2008, (north) and from Nov. 3, 2007, to Jan. 15, 2008
(south). The hours are sunrise to sunset, and the limits are eight
daily, 20 in possession.
"The Complete Book of Upland Bird Hunting" is a well-written
overview of bird hunting in North America and the Midwest.
Accordingly, this comprehensive guidebook "reveals the secrets of
'hunting smart' for every upland game bird in North America. It's a
journey you do not want to miss." This book is recommended to
hunters seeking to learn more about upland game birds and improve
their chances at completing a successful hunt.
[Text from file received
from Richard Sumrall,
Lincoln Public Library District] |
